Enjoyed them very much. I had no idea that you were “in” to Mummintrollen. I must be one of the few Scandinavians who hasn’t a real relation to these strange figures. I laughed a lot reading “I put people’s love of the Moomins down to unexportable cultural taste, like Marmite or root beer”. I think I’ve had a similar idea.
I haven't read the story so I probably shouldn't comment - but - your evocative review made me wonder if Jansson's story is a comment on what "real art" is, and who gets to decide? I knew someone once who made tons of homespun art, and when I went over to her house and saw it, her dedication impressed me so much that I realized I was at fault for not taking her seriously.
Thank you! And yes, absolutely. It's really interesting to consider what we think of as "real art" and why, and rather wonderful to see an artist/writer addressing it so directly. I love your account of facing it head-on with your friend's work.
Huh, that's so interesting. I'm not sure that it's precisely the case in this story, which is autobiographical — Tove Jansson's mother was also a public artist. (There is a different story in which her mother takes her along for a much-longed-for few days in an empty house just to paint, which the narrator spoils. Of course it's written ruefully by the adult version of the narrator, who has gone on to be a writer and painter herself.). The scene in the tant story that echoes your recent piece on perfectionism (I'll add a link to that below!) shows the child watching to see if the father will throw away the tant's work after the tant leaves. But I think that the child narrator herself already has a sense of what “real art” is to her, and she's looking to her father to help her navigate it. It's really a fascinating story.
I love Tove Jansson and what a treat to discover your two posts. I loved The Summer Book especially and long for more of her "adult" work to appear in English. I once saw Ali Smith speak on her and she was so engaging and delightful. Thank you for such absorbing posts.
I'm so glad! And wow to hear Ali Smith talk about Tove Jansson. It's really nice to hear about. How lovely. I'm glad you liked these two posts, and do check out the third — I think it might be my favorite of the three. It's the most adult story of the three, in any case. Jansson did one more short story that's nominally for children that I would love to write about — perhaps you know it. It has the Moomin character who's a musician and wanderer — I've forgotten his name — walking along when an inspiration for a new melody begins to come to him. But just at that moment someone claims his attention, amd he has to choose: be a good artist and follow the art, or be a good friend. It sets up the problem, and all of the mixed emotions, beautifully.
Great stories,
Enjoyed them very much. I had no idea that you were “in” to Mummintrollen. I must be one of the few Scandinavians who hasn’t a real relation to these strange figures. I laughed a lot reading “I put people’s love of the Moomins down to unexportable cultural taste, like Marmite or root beer”. I think I’ve had a similar idea.
Congratulations to the very nice texts!
Toni
A belated thank you so much, Toni!
I haven't read the story so I probably shouldn't comment - but - your evocative review made me wonder if Jansson's story is a comment on what "real art" is, and who gets to decide? I knew someone once who made tons of homespun art, and when I went over to her house and saw it, her dedication impressed me so much that I realized I was at fault for not taking her seriously.
Thank you! And yes, absolutely. It's really interesting to consider what we think of as "real art" and why, and rather wonderful to see an artist/writer addressing it so directly. I love your account of facing it head-on with your friend's work.
There’s an issue of art and masculinity that is always at play, too, I think. That makes for defensiveness with “real artists” of a certain era
Huh, that's so interesting. I'm not sure that it's precisely the case in this story, which is autobiographical — Tove Jansson's mother was also a public artist. (There is a different story in which her mother takes her along for a much-longed-for few days in an empty house just to paint, which the narrator spoils. Of course it's written ruefully by the adult version of the narrator, who has gone on to be a writer and painter herself.). The scene in the tant story that echoes your recent piece on perfectionism (I'll add a link to that below!) shows the child watching to see if the father will throw away the tant's work after the tant leaves. But I think that the child narrator herself already has a sense of what “real art” is to her, and she's looking to her father to help her navigate it. It's really a fascinating story.
https://open.substack.com/pub/twohouses/p/on-perfectionism?r=2u2cxe&utm_medium=ios
I love Tove Jansson and what a treat to discover your two posts. I loved The Summer Book especially and long for more of her "adult" work to appear in English. I once saw Ali Smith speak on her and she was so engaging and delightful. Thank you for such absorbing posts.
I'm so glad! And wow to hear Ali Smith talk about Tove Jansson. It's really nice to hear about. How lovely. I'm glad you liked these two posts, and do check out the third — I think it might be my favorite of the three. It's the most adult story of the three, in any case. Jansson did one more short story that's nominally for children that I would love to write about — perhaps you know it. It has the Moomin character who's a musician and wanderer — I've forgotten his name — walking along when an inspiration for a new melody begins to come to him. But just at that moment someone claims his attention, amd he has to choose: be a good artist and follow the art, or be a good friend. It sets up the problem, and all of the mixed emotions, beautifully.
I will look it up. Her work is so profound and touching and can't think of another writer like her.
I'd love to read your take if you end up writing about any of her work!